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Aquatics Program

Our Philosophy

While our first priority is always safety, our main objective is to teach swimming at all levels with a focus on fun instead of traditional training. Simply enjoying time in the water is just as valuable in the development of a swimmer as having an actual instructor. Promoting joy in the water is the most effective first step to teaching a kid how to swim.

Overview

Our swimming program consists of two periods per day — Lessons in the morning and Free Swim in the afternoon.

Lessons are in the morning and may be broken into several periods depending on skill levels and camper counts. Lessons, which are structured and coached, are designed to promote confidence, technique, and teamwork through fun exercises, games, and challenges. The primary goal of Lessons is for campers to show marked improvement in comfort and skill in the water over the course of the camp session — preferably without even realizing it!

Free Swim gives our campers the opportunity to swim, play, and keep cool with their friends. Counselors and instructors are on-hand to organize games, help with skill development at a camper’s request, or just join in the fun. Free Swim promotes socialization, teamwork, creativity, leadership, and healthy bodies. Unstructured time in the water is every bit as beneficial as organized lessons — the abilities of swimmers at every level are constantly reinforced and refined through play.

The Pool

Our pool was built in 2025. It measures 58.5 feet by 28.5 feet wide (19.5 x 9.5 yards), and is surrounded on all sides by approximately 8 feet of decking. The pool depth slopes gently from 2.75 feet at the shallow end steps to 5 feet at the deep end.

Half of the pool is 4 feet deep or less. This is our “shallow end.” There is a roughly 10 x 28 foot wading area near the pool steps that is less than 3 feet deep. This area can be roped off, giving new swimmers a safe and comfortable space for Free Swim and Lessons. The “deep end” is 4 to 5 feet deep and offers a large, deeper area for stronger swimmers to enjoy.

Important Details

  • Before the first swim of each session, all campers participate in:
    1. A full review of the pool rules along with a “question and answer” session to cover expectations.
    2. A swim test that includes swimming 2 widths of the pool in any stroke and 60 seconds of treading water in the deep end. (This is optional but must be passed to access the deep end of the pool.)
    3. A skills test to help place campers into groups for swim lessons. In many cases the above swim test gives us an adequate skill assessment. For younger or new swimmers a simple “show us what you like to do in the water” prompt can give us a good idea of a camper’s skill and comfort level.
  • Lessons and Free Swim are encouraged but not required. While there are no formal alternative activities during swim time, it is not uncommon for one or two campers to sit out during any given swim period. There is always at least one counselor poolside to keep non-participants occupied with a card game, bracelet-making, etc.
  • The pool is typically divided in half by a lane line between the shallow and deep ends during Lessons and Free Swim. Only those who have passed the swim test are permitted in the deep end.
  • The pool area is always locked unless there is a lifeguard on-hand. Campers are not allowed in the water until the lifeguard is situated and gives the okay. There is always at least one lifeguard on duty at all times in addition to any instructors working with the campers.
  • There is always plenty of shade in the pool area.

Swimming Skill Levels

At the beginning of each camp session, campers will be swim tested and assigned to one of these groups for Lessons.

Tadpoles

These new or younger swimmers focus on gaining comfort, control, and mobility in the water while learning essential skills to keep them safe. Closely monitored games and activities in shallow water are a great way to start!
Tadpoles

Seahorses

Seahorses are forwardly mobile in the water and may feel a new sense of freedom, but they’re not quite ready to swim with the big fish. They’ll focus on improving their stroke and gaining confidence to achieve sustained forward mobility.
Seahorses

Stingrays

Stingrays are beyond the dog paddle and can get where they want to go! They’ll work on improving their body control and stroke efficiency, striving for technically sound freestyle and exploring other strokes—all with an emphasis on teamwork.
Stingrays

Dolphins

Their freestyle is technically sound, and they are deep-end qualified, but there’s still progress to be made! While speed and a “beautiful” stroke might be the goal, creativity, teamwork, and leadership are essential to the journey.
Dolphins

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